Housing Assistant Team Manager (CBL)

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Aylesbury is seeking an experienced Housing Assistant Team Manager to lead the social housing allocations service. The ideal candidate will manage the housing register, ensure timely property allocations, and provide guidance to the team while supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged households. The role requires strong communication and negotiation skills, along with a solution-focused approach. Competitive benefits and a collaborative work environment are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working

Health and well-being initiatives

Pension Scheme

Discounts on Cafés, restaurants, shops

Costco membership

Qualifications

• Substantial experience managing a team administering an Allocations Policy.
• Experience working in partnership with Registered Providers.
• Ability to manage sensitive issues and diffuse confrontational situations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the social housing allocations service.
• Manage the housing register for timely property allocations.
• Provide line management and guidance to Allocation Officers.
• Support a high-quality service for vulnerable clients.
• Undertake statutory reviews and manage work programmes.

Skills

Team management

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving

Customer service orientation

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Housing Assistant Team Manager (CBL) to join our newly restructured Housing team. This role involves leading the provision of expert professional advice and delivery of the social housing allocations service within the Housing Service, in line with the council's allocations policy. The successful candidate will ensure the housing register is effectively managed, and the allocation of properties is timely and efficient, making the best use of housing stock, including direct lets where necessary. As the Assistant Team Manager for Choice Based Lettings, you will provide line management and senior technical guidance to the Officers, acting as a supervisor and mentor in matters relating to lettings. You will support the delivery of a high-quality, customer-focused allocations service for a diverse client group, including vulnerable and disadvantaged households. Additionally, you will undertake statutory reviews, support housing ombudsman enquiries, and manage complex work programmes to the required standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the social housing allocations service in line with the council's allocations policy.
• Manage the housing register and ensure timely and efficient allocation of properties, including direct lets where appropriate.
• Provide line management and senior technical guidance to Allocation Officers; supervise and mentor lettings work.
• Support a high-quality, customer-focused service for a diverse client group, including vulnerable and disadvantaged households.
• Undertake statutory reviews and support housing ombudsman enquiries.
• Manage complex work programmes to required standards.
• Work in partnership with Registered Providers and other stakeholders to administer the Allocations Policy.

Qualifications and Skills

• Substantial experience in managing a team administering an Allocations Policy.
• Experience working in partnership with Registered Providers.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiating skills; ability to manage sensitive issues and diffuse confrontational situations.
• Ambitious, solution-focused, and collaborative mindset.

About Buckinghamshire Council

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are focused on the future with a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

We have values that represent what we are — Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy. Our employees can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support and opportunities to develop and progress in your career
• participation in fundraising and social events

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property. Key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We aim to provide a proactive planning service responsive to needs while making the best use of the Council's land and property portfolio, supporting community services and creating housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire and contribute to high-profile development projects and major infrastructure initiatives.

Additional Information

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023)

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (section titled “Exceptions Order”).

Hard work and success deserve recognition. We offer benefits including flexible working, discounts on Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto-enrolment into a generous Pension Scheme. Membership to Costco is available, with additional perks such as discounted gym memberships and travel discounts with Arriva.